an important lesson
i'm at the high school today, getting prepared for the upcoming year...which starts in two weeks. it's the day for our seniors to register so the halls are full of students. it actually is getting me excited to be back in session (as sick as that sounds).
but the real reason i was motivated to write is because of two conversations i just had with upcoming seniors. these conversations were in about a 30 minute span. first, i talked to a former student of mine. he couldn't register yet because he didn't have his ID with him to show that he was 19 and could register himself. he doesn't have a parent with him because he's living on his own. he's currently staying with a friend but is looking for a place to live. on. his. own. he's a senior in high school.
not 20 minutes later, another young man walked into my room because he was considering dropping AP English (which I teach). he wondered about the homework load because he, also, supports himself. he is in band, he works 3rd shift at McDonald's, and he also works when needed at a local factory. he is currently living with a friend but may move out soon.
it is unbelievable what some young people go home to every day... or, don't go home to. as a teacher, I think that's one of the most important things we have to remember. I've thought about writing a book called "After the 3:00 Bell" to help show teachers that maybe, when a kid doesn't do his homework or a student falls asleep constantly in class, there could be a reason. a valid reason.
really, that's something everyone, no matter the profession, should remember.
but the real reason i was motivated to write is because of two conversations i just had with upcoming seniors. these conversations were in about a 30 minute span. first, i talked to a former student of mine. he couldn't register yet because he didn't have his ID with him to show that he was 19 and could register himself. he doesn't have a parent with him because he's living on his own. he's currently staying with a friend but is looking for a place to live. on. his. own. he's a senior in high school.
not 20 minutes later, another young man walked into my room because he was considering dropping AP English (which I teach). he wondered about the homework load because he, also, supports himself. he is in band, he works 3rd shift at McDonald's, and he also works when needed at a local factory. he is currently living with a friend but may move out soon.
it is unbelievable what some young people go home to every day... or, don't go home to. as a teacher, I think that's one of the most important things we have to remember. I've thought about writing a book called "After the 3:00 Bell" to help show teachers that maybe, when a kid doesn't do his homework or a student falls asleep constantly in class, there could be a reason. a valid reason.
really, that's something everyone, no matter the profession, should remember.
posted by lethes | 2:00 PM
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